Litany of ThanksgivingWorld Day of PrayerPrepared by the Women of Papua New Guinea

Litany of Thanksgiving, flowing from Romans 12: 4-13Leader: We thank you, God,for the unity and wholeness of the human body.We especially thank you for all our senseswhereby we come to know the world and one another.Our hearts are full of gratitude for the gift of life.

All: We give thanks for the gifts that differaccording to the grace given to us.

Leader: We thank you, God,for the gift of Jesus, the Christ, who lived among us,who suffered and died and who rose againthat we would have life more abundantly.We are grateful for the empowering messageof the Gospel, that we are to love one another.May the unity that we have in Christbe experienced in every aspectof our lives, our families, our clans,our tribes and communities,our country and the world.

All: We give thanks for a genuine, Christlike love.

Leader: We thank you, God for directing our lives.We are grateful for those who hold fast to what is good:those who advocate justice for the least,oppressed and marginalized in our society,those who speak truth to power,those who share generously;those who are compassionate to all.By the power of your Spirit,enable us to make needed changes in our lives,with hope, now and forever.

All: We give thanks for the gifts that differaccording to the grace given to us.

Leader: We thank you, God, for those who lead with diligence,mindful of the good of all, not their own special interests.We thank you for giving us opportunitiesto use our leadership qualities.We remember our leaders--the able and dedicated men and womenin the government, in the private sector, and in NGO groups.God, we thank you alsofor changing the hearts of mento recognize and value the leadership of women in Papua New Guinea.The women of Papua New Guineathank all who are educatorsfor empowering them with the proper educationto realize their leadership ability.

All: We give thanks for a genuine, Christlike love.

Closing PrayerO God, we give you thanks for the women of Papua New Guinea,who pray today that they may grow in justice, peace and power,to be a blessing for their people.We give thanks as well for thosewho plan and support the World Day of Prayer,which gives voice to the prayers of womenand allows us all to pray in solidaritywith sisters all around the world.Use this prayer and this movementto give a voice for justice, peace, power and blessingto all of your children;In Christlike love we pray, Amen.

About World Day of PrayerWorld Day of Prayer is a worldwide ecumenical movement of women of many faith traditions who cometogether to observe a common day of prayer each year on the first Friday in March. Each year a differentcountry serves as the writer of the World Day of Prayer worship service. For 2009, the WDP Committee ofPapua New Guinea developed the theme, In Christ, there are many members, yet one body.

About the Women of Papua New GuineaThe women of Papua New Guinea welcome us to PNG, a land of many languages, cultures, traditions andbeliefs. Though many of its communities experience isolation due to the rugged terrain, there is unity indiversity. The women of Papua New Guinea say, “By God’s grace, we are able to be united.” PNG’s WorldDay of Prayer Committee is comprised of women from many members of the Papua New Guinea Council ofChurches. They invite us to join them in celebrating their unity in Christ, where good overcomes evil anddiverse communities may be of one heart and soul.

About the Worship ServicePrepared by the women of Papua New Guinea, the 2009 WDP service will begin joyfully at the first sunrise ofMarch 6, 2009, in the Pacific region where Papua New Guinea is situated. Through the lens of the women ofPNG, we deepen our understanding of the true nature of Christian unity, which binds all who have faith inChrist. Come with us to Papua New Guinea. Come with the confidence of Ruth who said to Naomi: “Yourpeople shall be my people and your God my God” (Ruth 1:16b).

About the OfferingIf you wish to make a contribution to World Day of Prayer,Make checks payable to WDP USA. Mail to: WDP USA CommitteePO Box 13121Des Moines, IA 50310